A cry break is a vocal break in a tone or note in a song. It is characteristic in the singing tone of Hank Williams where a note seems to break and start over again. There are notes that the singer sounds near to the point of starting to cry. It is a technique that is used in country singing. S ongs that deal with the issues of sorrow and loss are likely to contain cry breaks.
Famous quotes containing the words cry and/or break:
“Cry pretty, pretty, pretty and you’ll be able
Very soon not even to cry pretty
And so be delivered entirely from humanity
This is prettiest of all, it is very pretty.”
—Stevie Smith (1902–1971)
“Unless, governor, teacher inspector, visitor,
This map becomes their window and these windows
That open on their lives like crouching tombs
Break, O break open,”
—Stephen Spender (1909–1995)